NRC in Assam: State govt assures it won't curtail rights, privileges of those not mentioned in first draft

Guwahati: Nobody's rights and privileges will be curtailed if his or her name does not figure in the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to be published on 30 July, senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said.

After the final publication, there will be claims, objections and correction procedure and people will be able to avail these services, he told a press conference on Saturday.

"A draft is a draft. Nobody's rights and privileges will be taken away on the basis of the draft NRC. No one will be sent to any detention camp," the state finance minister said.

File image of Himanta Biswa Sarma. Twitter @himantabiswa

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had on Thursday stated that no one will be treated as foreigner if his or her name does not figure in the final draft.

Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia told PTI that the police are carrying out community engagement programmes to avoid misunderstanding and keeping a strict watch on social media so that no fake news or hate messages are circulated.

When asked about the preparedness of the police force, Saikia said the Assam Police is fully prepared and alert to maintain peace and order in the society at any cost after the final NRC draft is out.

The Centre has already sent over 22,000 paramilitary forces personnel to beef up security in Assam and adjoining states. The union home ministry has also asked the Assam government not to take any action against those whose names do not figure in the NRC.

Meanwhile, several neighbouring states have kept their police forces on alert to thwart possible infiltration of illegal immigrants post-July 30.